Lasha Pkhakadze suspended three weeks, leaving UBB with front-row crisis

Lasha Pkhakadze, a prop for Union Bordeaux Bègles (UBB), has received a three-week suspension following a dangerous tackle during a match against Racing 92. The disciplinary commission issued the sanction after Pkhakadze received an orange card. The suspension could potentially be reduced to two weeks if the player completes a pedagogical program regarding head contact.

Pkhakadze will miss the upcoming match against Toulouse and the home game against Stade Français on September 20. This suspension exacerbates a growing crisis in UBB’s front row, as the club is already facing significant injuries to key players, including Jefferson Poirot, Zaccharie Affane, and Ben Tameifuna, while Carlü Sadie is away on international duty with South Africa.

With Matis Perchaud remaining as the only available left prop in the professional squad, head coach Yannick Bru may be forced to promote a player from the youth academy for the match against Toulouse. The club is reportedly still seeking a medical joker to bolster its depth in the scrum.